Illuminated device enclosure with dynamic trackpad

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having an illuminated body that defines a virtual or dynamic trackpad. The electronic device includes a translucent layer defining a keyboard region and a dynamic input region along an external surface. A keyboard may be. positioned within the keyboard region and including a key surface and a switch element (e.g., to detect a keypress). A light control layer positioned below the translucent layer and within the dynamic input region may have a group of illuminable features. The electronic device may also include a group of light-emitting elements positioned below the optical diffuser. One or more of the light control layer or the group of light-emitting elements may be configured to illuminate the dynamic input region to display a visible boundary of an active input area. At least one of a size or a position of the visible boundary may be dynamically variable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/555,027, filedSep. 6, 2017 and titled “Illuminated Device Enclosure with DynamicTrackpad,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to input surfaces of anelectronic device. More particularly, the present embodiments relate toan illuminated electronic device enclosure or body that defines an inputsurface.

BACKGROUND

In computing systems, an input device may be employed to receive inputfrom a user. Some traditional input devices include large buttons, keys,or other mechanically-actuated structures. However, these types of inputdevices may lack flexibility or adaptability and may permanentlyindicate the presence of the input device within the computing system.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an electronicdevice having an illuminated enclosure that defines a dynamic inputsurface.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure includes an electronic device.The electronic device includes an upper portion. The upper portionincludes an upper enclosure defining an opening. The upper portionfurther includes a display positioned at least partially within theopening and configured to depict a graphical output. The electronicdevice further includes a lower portion pivotally coupled with the upperportion. The lower portion includes a lower enclosure having atranslucent layer that defines an active input area and an array oflight-extraction features positioned within the active input area. Thelower portion further includes a keyboard positioned along an uppersurface of the lower enclosure and configured to receive a keypress. Thelower portion further includes a light-emitting element positioned alonga side of the translucent layer and configured to propagate lightthrough the translucent layer to the light-extraction features toilluminate the active input area. The lower portion further includes aprocessing unit configured to modify the graphical output in response tothe keypress and modify the graphical output in response to an inputreceived along the active input area when the active input area isilluminated.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure includes an electronicdevice. The electronic device includes a translucent layer defining akeyboard region and a dynamic input region along an external surface ofthe electronic device. The electronic device further includes a keyboardpositioned within the keyboard region. The keyboard includes a keysurface and a switch element configured to detect a keypress. Theelectronic device further includes a light control layer positionedbelow the translucent layer within the dynamic input region and having agroup of illuminable features. The electronic device further includes anoptical diffuser positioned below the light control layer. Theelectronic device further includes a group of light-emitting elementspositioned below the optical diffuser and configured to propagate lightthrough the optical diffuser, the light control layer, and thetranslucent layer. One or more of the light control layer or the groupof light-emitting elements may be configured to illuminate the dynamicinput region to display a visible boundary of an active input area. Atleast one of a size or a position of the visible boundary may bedynamically variable.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure includes an electronic device.The electronic device includes an enclosure. The electronic devicefurther includes a display positioned at least partially within theenclosure. The electronic device further includes a keyboard positionedalong an upper surface of the enclosure. The electronic device furtherincludes a translucent layer defining a dynamic input region along aside of the keyboard. The dynamic input region may have an active inputarea that is designated by a visual boundary. The electronic devicefurther includes a group of light-emitting elements optically coupledwith the translucent layer and configured to depict a visual outputwithin the dynamic input region. The electronic device further includesa sensing element positioned within an interior volume of the enclosureand configured to detect an input along the active input area when thevisual boundary is illuminated.

In addition to the exemplary aspect and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and by study of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like elements.

FIG. 1A depicts a sample electronic device including a dynamic inputregion;

FIG. 1B depicts a cross-sectional view of a tactile switch assembly ofthe sample electronic device of FIG. 1A, taken along line A-A of FIG.1A;

FIG. 1C depicts an enlarged view of the dynamic input region having anilluminated input area;

FIG. 1D depicts an enlarged view of the dynamic input region having amodified illuminated input area;

FIG. 1E depicts an enlarged view of the dynamic input region depicting avisual output;

FIG. 2A depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic input region ofFIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic input region ofFIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2C depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic input region ofFIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2D depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic input region ofFIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2E depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic input region ofFIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2F depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic input region ofFIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area illuminated within a dynamic input region;

FIG. 3B depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anotherembodiment of an active input area illuminated within a dynamic inputregion;

FIG. 3C depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anotherembodiment of an active input area illuminated within a dynamic inputregion;

FIG. 4A depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and a visual output illuminated within a dynamic inputregion;

FIG. 4B depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and another visual output illuminated within a dynamicinput region;

FIG. 4C depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and another visual output illuminated within a dynamicinput region;

FIG. 5A depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and a light trail illuminated within a dynamic inputregion;

FIG. 5B depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and another light trail illuminated within a dynamicinput region;

FIG. 5C depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and another light trail illuminated within a dynamicinput region;

FIG. 6A depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having akeyboard region and dynamic input region;

FIG. 6B depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having adynamic input region configured to detect multiple inputs;

FIG. 7A depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and multiple outputs of the electronic deviceilluminated on the dynamic input region;

FIG. 7B depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and an updateable output of the electronic deviceilluminated on the dynamic input region;

FIG. 7C depicts a top view of a sample electronic device having anactive input area and a dynamic output of the electronic deviceilluminated on the dynamic input region;

FIG. 8A depicts a sample electronic device having a visual outputvisible between an upper portion and a lower position of the devicearranged in a closed position;

FIG. 8B depicts a sample electronic device having an active input areadefined on a dynamic input region when an upper portion and a lowerportion of the device are arranged in a closed position;

FIG. 9A depicts a sample portable electronic device;

FIG. 9B depicts a rear surface of the sample portable electronic deviceof FIG. 9A having a dynamic input region;

FIG. 10 depicts a sample watch having a dynamic input region;

FIG. 11 depicts a sample stylus having an input region; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram of an electronic device.

The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures isgenerally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elementsand also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neitherthe presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys orindicates any preference or requirement for particular materials,material properties, element proportions, element dimensions,commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any othercharacteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated inthe accompanying figures.

Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions anddimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features andelements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries,separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween areprovided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate anunderstanding of the various embodiments described herein and,accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale,and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for anillustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described withreference thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, andapparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure.However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may bepracticed in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein.

The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and techniquesrelated to an electronic device having an illuminated enclosure or bodythat defines a dynamic input region. The dynamic input region may bedefined along an exterior or upper surface of the enclosure formed froma translucent layer or structure. The translucent layer may beselectively illuminated to reveal a customizable active input area(e.g., a virtual track pad) and/or display various visual outputs alongthe dynamic input region.

Visual output may be produced along the translucent layer using a numberof different techniques. In a first example, the translucent layer maybe illuminated from the side by a light-emitting element. Light isdirected toward light-extraction features in the translucent layer thatmay illuminate a visible boundary of the active input area (e.g., avirtual trackpad). In another example, the translucent layer isilluminated from below by an array of light-emitting elements (or asingle light-emitting element) to create a configurable or customizableboundary of the active input area. For example, the active input areamay be moved, resized, rearranged, functionally reassigned, or the likealong the dynamic input region. The dynamic input region may also depictvarious other visual outputs or other optical effects, includingilluminating a boundary of a touch input, or conveying otherinformation, including dynamic or updateable information of theelectronic device. As described herein, the virtual trackpad may bepositioned along a side of a keyboard or other structure coupled to thetranslucent layer configured to receive a keypress or other input.

The dynamic input region may be defined along virtually any exteriorsurface of the electronic device formed by the translucent layer that isconfigured to receive an input, including a force input, a touch input,and/or a proximity input. The translucent layer may be formed from oneor more translucent materials including, for example, glass, ceramic,plastic, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term translucentor translucent layer may be used to refer to a material or layer thatallows the passage of light and does not require that the material orlayer be transparent, clear, or otherwise free from features thatscatter or absorb some amount of light. In this regard, the termtranslucent may generally refer to a material or layer that is opticallytransparent, partially transparent, or otherwise able to transmit light.The translucent layer may be coupled with, or otherwise positionedalong, one or more sensing layers or structures within the enclosure, asdescribed herein, including a capacitive-based sensing layer, which mayallow the dynamic input region to detect input along the translucentexterior surface of the electronic device.

A light-emitting element, or group of light-emitting elements may bepositioned within the enclosure and configured to illuminate an activeinput area within the dynamic input region. The active input area may bea virtual trackpad positioned on a particular area or portion of thedynamic input region configured to control a function of the electronicdevice in response to an input. For example, while the entire dynamicinput region may be configured to detect input, in certainconfigurations, a specified area or portion of the dynamic input regionmay define an active input area (e.g., a virtual or dynamic track pad)that is used to control the electronic device in response to detectedinput; other areas or portions of the dynamic input region may betemporarily unresponsive to input. This may allow the active input areato be customizable within the dynamic input region based on userpreferences, such as arranging the active input area in variouspositions and sizes within the dynamic input region.

To facilitate the foregoing, the light-emitting element may thusilluminate a visible boundary of the active input area within thedynamic input region. The visible boundary may indicate to a user thepresence and location of input functionality on the device enclosure.For example, in some cases, the dynamic input region and/or the activeinput area may be concealed from a user. The translucent layer mayappear to substantially resemble an exterior surface of an electronicdevice having no apparent input functionality; however, this is notrequired. In other cases, the dynamic input region and/or active inputarea may be optically distinguishable on the exterior surface in anunilluminated state. Once illuminated, the active input area may bemanipulated within the dynamic input region and the visible boundary maybe updated accordingly, thereby indicating to a user a new or updatedlocation of input functionality on the exterior surface.

In a “side-illuminated” embodiment, where the translucent layer isilluminated from the side, the translucent layer may define a lightguide that guides or directs light from the light-emitting element anddefines the active input area within the dynamic input region. Tofacilitate the foregoing, the light-emitting element may be aside-firing light-emitting diode (LED) or other light-emitting elementpositioned along a side of the translucent layer. An internallyreflective region of the translucent layer may propagate light receivedfrom the light-emitting element along a length of the enclosure towardlight-extraction features. The light-extraction features may includetextured features that extract light from the translucent layer andilluminate a visible boundary of the active input area. For example, thelight-extraction features may have a distinct index of refraction orother optical property that redirects light toward the external surfaceof the enclosure when the light traverses a boundary between theinternally reflective region and the light extraction features. Theelectronic device may be responsive to input received within the activeinput area when the visible boundary is illuminated. For example, whenthe visible boundary is illuminated, a sensing layer (including acapacitive-based sensor) may detect input within the active input areaand a display of the electronic device may be responsive to the detectedinput.

In a “bottom-illuminated” embodiment, where the translucent layer isilluminated from beneath the external surface, a light control layer maybe used to control the propagation of light through the translucentlayer and define the active input area within the dynamic input region.The light control layer may be positioned along an internal surface ofthe translucent layer and control the propagation of light through thetranslucent layer using a group of illuminable features. The lightcontrol layer may generally impede or impair the propagation of light.The group of illuminable features may be regions of the light controllayer where light may propagate from an interior of the electronicdevice to the translucent layer.

The group of illuminable features may be illuminated to define a visibleboundary (or other characteristic) of the active input area within thedynamic input region. In a particular embodiment, the light controllayer may be an ink, coating, substrate, deposition, or other structurethat blocks light and the group of illuminable features may include anarray of microperforations forming a channel or passage through thelight control layer that defines a boundary of the active input areawhen illuminated. The array of microperforations may also be selectivelyilluminated (using an LED matrix or the like) in order to vary a size,position, shape, and so on of the active input area within the dynamicinput region. In other embodiments, the light control layer may be apolarizing layer and/or other components that operate to control thepassage of light through individual indicators. For example, the groupof illuminable features may be individually selectable windows orregions, which may allow light to propagate therethrough in response toa signal (e.g., which may be controlled by a processing unit of theelectronic device).

The light control layer may be used to define a variety ofuser-customizable shapes, sizes, positions, configurations, and so forthof the active input area within the dynamic input region. For example,multiple, distinct visible boundaries of the active input area (firstvisible boundary, second visible boundary, and so on) may be illuminatedwithin the dynamic input region successively. The visible boundaries maycorrespond to distinct sizes, shapes, positions, and so on of an activeinput area, which may have a user-customizable shape, size, or the likeon the dynamic input region. The electronic device may be responsive toinput received within the dynamic input region based on the illuminatedboundary of the active input area. Accordingly, the active input areamay not be limited to a particular configuration or position within thedynamic input region, but rather may be manipulated by a user into avariety of customizable configurations. This may be beneficial, forexample, where the active input area defines a trackpad of a notebookcomputer; the trackpad can be resized or repositioned along atranslucent device enclosure based on user-specified preferences andthus enhance the functionality and/or adaptability on the electronicdevice.

The electronic device may be configured to depict a visual output withinthe dynamic input region. As described herein, the visual output may bevisual cues to prompt an input and, in other cases, may be responsiveto, or produced, when the electronic device receives an input. Forexample, the visual output may cue the user to enter input and/orconfirm or provide additional information to a user in response to adetected input. The light-emitting elements described herein may beconfigured to propagate light through the translucent layer and depictthe visual output within the dynamic input region. In some embodiments,the light control layer may be used to control the propagation of lightthrough the translucent layer. The light-emitting element may illuminatethe visual output on the translucent exterior surface in response to aninput received along the dynamic input region. Sample visual outputs inthis regard may include an illumination of a location of a touch input,a path of travel of a touch input along the dynamic input region, theentire active input area, and so on. The visual output may also be usedto visually emphasize aesthetic characteristics of the active inputarea, including emphasizing an interior periphery (corresponding to agradient brightness, contrast, and/or other optical periphery or visualeffect), a boundary thickness or edge fade, and/or adjusting a color orbrightness of the active input area, among other possibilities. Thevisual output may also be used to identify a function of the electronicdevice that may be controlled or manipulated in response to an input.

In some embodiments, the dynamic input region may be used to conveyinformation to the user corresponding to a notification, status,configuration, and/or other information related to the electronicdevice. For example, the visual output depicted within the dynamic inputregion, described above, may include or correspond to informationrelated to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the visual outputmay correspond to a location of a component or assembly of theelectronic device, such as a location and/or function related to aninductive charging coil, power button, wireless antenna, and so on. Thevisual output may also be updateable or dynamic. For example, the visualoutput may correspond to a power level (battery charge or batterydepletion level) of the electronic device, a location and/or strength ofa wireless internet connection, and/or other updateable or dynamicinformation. Accordingly, as described herein, the dynamic input regionneed not receive an input or be used to control a function of anelectronic device. However, it will be appreciated that in some casesthe visual output depicted within the dynamic input region may be usedto both convey information related to the electronic device and receivean input that controls a function of the electronic device. Toillustrate, the dynamic input region may have a visual outputcorresponding to a strength of a wireless internet signal that may alsobe displayed on a portion of the translucent layer used to control oneor more properties of a wireless internet connection in response to aninput (such as selecting a wireless network depicted at a display of theelectronic device).

Broadly, the dynamic input region may include any appropriate sensingelement configured to detect a touch input, force input, and/orproximity input along the exterior translucent surface of the electronicdevice. The sensing element may be positioned within the enclosure andconfigured to detect input received within the active input area or moregenerally along the dynamic input region or other region of thetranslucent layer (such as a keyboard region, described herein). A usermay manipulate the active input area within the dynamic input region. Assuch, the sensing element may be adaptable to generate an input signal(that controls a function of the electronic device) in response to inputreceived within the input area for a given configuration (e.g., based ona position of the active input area within the dynamic input region).For example, the sensing element may generate an input signal inresponse to input received within a visible boundary of the input area,but remain substantially unresponsive to input received outside of thevisible boundary.

In one embodiment, the sensing element may be a non-contact-based sensorthat measures various electrical parameters to detect a touch and/orforce input, including optical, magnetic, and capacitance-based sensors,among other non-contact-based sensors. In other cases, the sensingelement may be, or form a component of, a contact-based sensor,including a tactile dome switch, strain gauge, piezoelectric orelectroactive polymer (EAP) stack, or the like, among othercontact-based sensors. The sensing element may include multiplecombinations of sensors, including contact-based and non-contact-basedsensors, that cooperate to measure the force and/or touch input receivedat the translucent external surface. In some cases, the sensing elementmay measure localized or generalized deflection or bending of thetranslucent layer inward and trigger a corresponding switch event. Thesensing element may also be configured to produce various hapticeffects, as described herein, and/or be coupled with a separate hapticstructure that produces a haptic or tactile output along the inputregion.

The sensing element may be configured to detect inputs at distinctregions or areas of the translucent layer. This may allow the dynamicinput region to define multiple active input areas on the translucentlayer that may each correspond to distinct functions of the electronicdevice. For example, individual active input areas may correspond tokeyboard keys, buttons of a video game controller, or other virtual keysor buttons that may be operated in succession or are otherwise desiredto be defined on the translucent layer within one another. In somecases, the sensing layer may also detect input received at the distinctinput area concurrently. This may be beneficial, for example, where thetranslucent layer is used to form a trackpad and one or more buttonswithin the dynamic input region. For example, the sensing element maydetect a scrolling input or motion along an active input defining thetrackpad and also detect an input at an active input area defining abutton or keyboard key.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic device may be a notebookcomputer and the dynamic input region may be defined on one or morepivotally coupled portions of the enclosure. For example, the enclosuremay include an upper portion pivotally coupled to a lower portion. Theupper portion may include an upper enclosure and house or partiallycontain a touch-sensitive display that depicts a graphical output of theelectronic device. The lower portion may include a lower enclosure andmay have a translucent layer that defines an exterior or upper surfaceof the electronic device along which the dynamic input region may bearranged.

In addition to the dynamic input region, the translucent layer may alsohave a keyboard region defined along the exterior or upper surface. Thekeyboard region may include one or more tactile switch assembliescoupled with the translucent layer that are configured to detect inputat a key surface of a key cap or other input structure and generate atactile response. The dynamic input region may be arranged on thetranslucent layer proximate the keyboard region (and/or adjoin orpartially overlap) and define an active input area that forms a trackpadfor the electronic device. The trackpad may be manipulated into avariety of configurations within the dynamic input region, as describedherein, and be used to control a function of the electronic device thatis distinct from the keypress. For example, the graphical outputdepicted at the display may be modified in a first manner in response tothe keypress and in a second manner in response to input received withinthe active input area.

As described herein, the dynamic input region may be configured todepict a visual output of the trackpad at the translucent layer that isseparate and distinct from the graphical output of the display. Forexample, as described above, the dynamic input region may visuallyemphasize the active input area, illuminate a boundary of a touchcontact, and/or provide updateable information (battery level, wirelesssignal strength, and so on) corresponding to the electronic device thatis separate and distinct from the graphical output depicted at thedisplay.

In certain embodiments, the visual output of the dynamic input regionmay be visually perceptible when the upper portion and the lower portionare in a closed position. As described herein, the upper and lowerportions may pivot relative to one another such that major surfaces ofthe upper portion and the lower portion are positioned proximate to oneanother or otherwise aligned to define a closed configuration of theelectronic device. The dynamic input region may depict a visual outputalong a periphery of the major surface of the lower portion that may beat least partially visible between the closed upper and lower portions.For example, a light-emitting element may be configured to propagatelight through the translucent layer and/or between a gap separating theclosed upper and lower portions (which may extend along a directionsubstantially away from the enclosure). The light may be indicative of astatus or other information relating to the electronic device, such as apower or battery depletion level. This may allow a user to receiveupdatable information from the electronic device even when the enclosureis closed.

It will be appreciated that while the foregoing describes the dynamicinput region defined on a notebook computer enclosure, the dynamic inputregion may be defined on substantially any electronic device enclosurehaving a translucent enclosure or device body. Sample devices include asmart watch, stylus, other portable or wearable electronic device,portable media players, and so on. Broadly, the electronic device may bedefined by any enclosure (at least a portion of which is translucent)having one or more openings that surround or contain a display and/or abutton. In other embodiments, the electronic device may be a componentor segment of a substantially mechanical structure, such as a wall of abuilding, a panel, dashboard, door, doorframe, or the like. For example,a wall of a building may be used to define the dynamic input region andcontrol various functions of the building, such as climate controls,lighting, and so on. As such, the discussion of any electronic device ismeant as illustrative only.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which assist inillustrating various features of the present disclosure. The followingdescription is presented for purposes of illustration and description.Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventiveaspects to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations andmodifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill andknowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presentinventive aspects.

FIG. 1A depicts an electronic device 104, such as the electronic devicegenerally discussed above and described in more detail below. Theelectronic device 104 may include a translucent layer that forms anexternal surface of an enclosure of the electronic device 104. A dynamicinput region or trackpad may be defined along the external surface ofthe enclosure and used to control a function of the electronic device104.

In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the electronic device104 may include an upper portion 109 a and a lower portion 109 b. Thelower portion 109 b may be pivotally coupled with the upper portion 109a, for example, about a hinge 110, described below. The upper portion109 a and the lower portion 109 b may cooperate to form or define ashape of notebook computer. Various components and assemblies of theelectronic device 104 may be positioned within one or both of the upperportion 109 a or lower portion 109 b to facilitate the operation of theelectronic device 104.

An exterior surface of the electronic device 104 may be defined by anenclosure 108. For example, the enclosure 108 may define sidewalls, andtop and bottom surfaces of the electronic device 104 that enclose orencompass internal components of the electronic device 104, includingvarious electrical and structural components described herein. Theenclosure 108 may include multiple layers or assemblies that bepositioned within one or both of the upper portion 109 a and/or thelower portion 109 b.

For purposes of illustration, FIG. 1A shows the enclosure 108 as havingan upper enclosure 108 a and a lower enclosure 108 b. The upperenclosure 108 a may be positioned or arranged as a component of theupper portion 109 a of the electronic device 104 and the lower enclosure108 b may be positioned or arranged as a component of the lower portion109 b of the electronic device. The upper enclosure 108 a may bepivotally coupled with the lower enclosure 108 b about a hinge 110. Thehinge 110 may allow the upper enclosure 108 a and the lower enclosure108 b to pivot relative to one another and define an open configuration(as shown in FIG. 1A) and a closed configuration (as described withrespect to FIGS. 8A and 8B) of the electronic device 104. In the closedconfiguration, major surfaces of the upper enclosure 108 a and the lowerenclosure 108 b may be positioned substantially parallel with oneanother.

The electronic device 104 may include a touch-sensitive display 114 atleast partially positioned within the enclosure 108. For example, theupper enclosure 108 a may define an opening 112 and the touch-sensitivedisplay 114 may be at least partially positioned within the opening 112.The touch-sensitive display 114 may be configured to depict a graphicaloutput of the electronic device 104. The graphical output depicted onthe touch-sensitive display 114 may be responsive to various types ofdetected input, described herein, including a touch input, force input,and/or a proximity input detected at a keyboard or keyboard region ofthe electronic device 104 and/or a dynamic contact region of thetrackpad.

The enclosure 108 may have, or be partially formed from, a translucentlayer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, an exterior or upper surface ofthe lower enclosure 108 b of the enclosure 108 may be formed from atranslucent layer 116. In certain embodiments, the translucent layer 116may be a light transmissible layer that allows light to propagatetherethrough. In some cases, the translucent layer 116 may include aninternal reflection region and define a light guide that allows light totravel along a length of the translucent layer. In other cases, thetranslucent layer 116 may allow light to propagate between an exteriorand interior of the electronic device 104 substantially unobstructed.The translucent layer 116 may be formed from a ceramic (e.g., sapphire,conundrum), glass, plastic, synthetic, composite, or other appropriatetranslucent, transparent, partially transparent, or otherwiselight-transmissible structure configured to form a surface of a deviceenclosure. While the translucent layer 116 is shown formingsubstantially an entire exterior or upper surface of the lower enclosure108 b, it will be appreciated that that translucent layer 116 may beused to define a smaller or larger exterior surface (or regions thereof)of the enclosure 108, including embodiments where the translucent layer116 forms an exterior surface of both the upper enclosure 108 a and thelower enclosure 108 b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the translucent layer 116 may define orform a keyboard region 118. The keyboard region 118 may be a region ofthe electronic device 104 having one or more mechanical keys, buttons,switches, or other input surfaces that may be used to provide input tothe electronic device 104. In some embodiments, the keyboard region 118includes a virtual keyboard that includes an array of key regions, eachregion having a key surface and a switch or sensing element fordetecting a keystroke (e.g., a touch or press).

In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the electronic device 104 is shown ashaving a keyboard 120 arranged within the keyboard region 118 andcoupled with and/or along the translucent layer 116. The keyboard 120may be a mechanical keyboard (e.g., having mechanically-actuated keys)and include a set of illuminable key caps 122. Each of the set ofilluminable key caps 122 may have a key surface and an illuminableportion at which light from a light-emitting element may visuallyemphasize a location, size, and/or function of a key. The set ofilluminable key caps 122 may be substantially surrounded by, and atleast partially protrude from, the translucent layer 116, for example,as may be the case where the keyboard 120 is positioned within anopening defined in the translucent layer 116. In other cases, as shownin FIG. 1A, the set of illuminable key caps 122 may be positioned abovethe translucent layer 116, for example, as may be the case where thekeyboard 120 is a separate layer positioned over the translucent layer.The set of illuminable key caps 122 may be configured to receive akeypress (e.g., a touch and/or force input). The keypress may depress aparticular one of the set of illuminable key caps 122 that may controlthe electronic device 104. To facilitate the foregoing, the keyboard 120may include various support structures (butterfly mechanisms, scissormechanisms, and so forth), tactile elements (collapsible dome), switchelements (sensing membrane), and/or any other appropriate componentconfigured to detect a keypress, described in greater detail below withrespect to FIG. 1B.

An exterior or upper surface of the translucent layer 116 adjacent to(or partially overlapping) the keyboard region 118 may resemble anexterior surface of a device enclosure free of markings and/or having asubstantially uniform appearance. Despite appearances, in an activatedstate, the electronic device 104 may define a dynamic input region 128along the exterior surface of the translucent layer 116. The dynamicinput region 128 may be a region of the translucent layer 116 configuredto receive an input, including a touch input, a force input, and/or aproximity input that is used to control a function of the electronicdevice 104. For example, the dynamic input region 128 may be a region ofthe translucent layer 116 coupled with or positioned along a sensingelement, described herein, that may detect input along the exteriorsurface of the enclosure 108.

The translucent layer 116 may be illuminated to reveal the inputfunctionality of the dynamic input region 128. For example, as describedin greater detail below, in a side-illuminated embodiment, thetranslucent layer 116 may be a light guide configured to channel orredirect light along a length of the enclosure 108. The translucentlayer 116 may include internal reflective properties or otherwise havean internal reflection region that allows light optically coupled withthe translucent layer 116 to propagate within the translucent layer 116without substantially escaping. One or more light-extraction features,such as a textured region, formed into the translucent layer 116 mayexpel light from the translucent layer 116 and reveal the inputfunctionality of the dynamic input region 128.

Additionally or alternatively, in a bottom-illuminated embodiment, thedynamic input region 128 may be a concealable or hidden input region ofthe electronic device 104. For example, a light control layer having agroup of illuminable features may be positioned along an undersidesurface of the translucent layer 116. The light control layer maygenerally conceal an interior of the enclosure 108 and the indicatorsmay be visually imperceptible or invisible when not illuminated. Whenactivated, the electronic device 104 reveals the dynamic input region128 by propagating light through the group of illuminable features todisplay a boundary or an active input area, symbol, glyph, marking, orother visual output of the dynamic input region 128. An input assembly,sensing element or the like, including various haptic elements orstructures, may be positioned below the dynamic input region 128 andconfigured to trigger a switch event and/or deliver a haptic output inresponse to an input received along the dynamic input region 128.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the keyboard region 118 and keyboard 120 arepositioned adjacent the dynamic input region 128. More specifically, thekeyboard region 118 and keyboard 120 are partially surrounded by thedynamic input region 128. In some embodiments, the dynamic input region128 is positioned along a side of the keyboard region 118. Inembodiments where the keyboard 120 is a virtual keyboard, the keyboardmay be integrated with the translucent layer 116 and the dynamic inputregion 128 may partially surround and/or be integrated with the keyboard120.

The electronic device 104 may include various other input/outputcomponents that support one or more functions of the electronic device104. For purposes of illustration, FIG. 1A depicts the electronic deviceas including the touch-sensitive display 114 and keyboard 120. Theelectronic device 104 may also include a processing unit (optionallyincluding executable logic and/or sets of computer readableinstructions) and/or other hardware or software for use in facilitatingthe operation described herein (e.g., processing unit 1208 of FIG. 12).It should be noted that the electronic device 104 may also includevarious other components, such as one or more ports (e.g., a chargingport, a data transfer port, or the like), communications elements,additional input/output members (including additional buttons), and soon. It will be appreciated that the electronic device 104 may be anysuitable device having a concealable or hidden input region, asdescribed herein, including data-entry devices, word-processing devices,desktop computers, notebook computers, smart phones, tablets, portablemedia players, or the like. Other examples of electronic devices mayinclude health monitoring devices, digital cameras, printers, scanners,security systems or devices, or electronics for automobiles, buildings,or other structures, among other electronic devices. As such, thediscussion of any electronic device, such as electronic device 104, ismeant as an illustration only.

FIG. 1B depicts a cross-sectional view of the keyboard 120 of FIG. 1A,taken along line A-A of FIG. 1A. As illustrated, the keyboard 120includes a tactile element 132 (e.g., a collapsible dome or otherdeformable structure), a key cap 134, a substrate 136 (e.g., a printedcircuit board, having one or more sensor or electrical contacts), and asupport structure 138. The substrate 136 may define a base or baseportion of the keyboard 120. In some cases, the substrate 136 may beformed from and/or defined by a portion of the translucent layer 116,described with respect to FIG. 1A. For example, the key cap 134 andtactile element 132 may be substantially positioned along an exteriorsurface of the translucent layer 116 and a sensing element disposedpartially within or along the translucent layer 116 may detect akeypress received at the key cap 134. In other cases, the substrate 136may be a printed circuit board, electrical substrate, or the likearranged within an interior of the electronic device 104 defined by theenclosure 108. For example, the key cap 134 and the tactile element 132may be at least partially positioned within an opening defined by thetranslucent layer 116 and the substrate 136 may detect a keypressreceived at the key cap 134 as it is advanced inward toward the interiorof the enclosure 108.

To facilitate the foregoing, the substrate may include switch element140. The switch element 140 may be a contact-based and/ornon-contact-based sensor that detects a keypress received at the key cap134. For example, the switch element 140 may define one or moreelectrical traces that may trigger a switch event in response to acontact from the tactile element 132 or other component of the keyboard120 when the key cap 134 (having a key surface) is depressed. In othercases, the switch element 140 may be, or form a component of, acapacitive, magnetic, and/or optical based sensor configured to detectmovements of the key cap 134 caused by the keypress and trigger acorresponding switch event. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1B, theswitch element 140 is positioned at least partially within the substrate136; however, this is not required. In other cases, the switch element140 may be positioned along an interior and/or exterior surface of thesubstrate 136 (where the substrate 136 is a portion of the translucentlayer 116). The switch element 140 may also be separated from thesubstrate 136 in some embodiments.

The substrate 136 may also be configured to facilitate illumination ofthe key cap 134. For example, the substrate 136 may be a portion of thetranslucent layer 116 or otherwise be formed or constructed from atranslucent material that allows light to propagate therethrough. Assuch, a light-emitting element of the electronic device 104 (not shownin FIG. 1B) may illuminate some or all of the substrate 136. Thesubstrate 136 may subsequently direct the received light toward the keycap 134 and illuminate an illumination symbol or glyph.

The tactile element 132 may be any appropriate structure that delivers atactile effect to the key cap 134 in response to a keypress. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 1B, the tactile element 132 is a collapsibledome. The collapsible dome may buckle in response to a depress of thekey cap 134. It will be appreciated, however, that the tactile element132 may take other shapes and forms, including being formed from acompliant material or compliant overlay having various geometricfeatures and material properties (pockets, protrusions, densities, andso on) that is positioned over the translucent layer 116. In thisregard, the tactile element 132 may be configured to deliver a tactilesensation corresponding to the operation of a mechanical key,notwithstanding the configuration of other components or sub-assembliesof the keyboard 120.

In this regard, in certain embodiments, the tactile element 132 may beformed from any appropriate material (e.g., including metal, rubber, orthe like) that exhibits sufficiently elastic characteristics. Forexample, the tactile element 132 may be sufficiently elastic orresilient such that it does not permanently deform from applied force(e.g., the tactile element 132 may substantially return to an originalor undeformed shape after the force ceases). The key cap 134 may deformthe tactile element 132 upon the depression of the key cap 134. In turn,the tactile element 132 may return to an undeformed shape when the keycap 134 returns to a neutral or undepressed condition. The tactileelement 132 may not be limited to the above example materials, and mayalso include any other appropriate materials consistent with the variousembodiments presented herein, including silicone, plastic or otherflexible and resilient materials.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the support structure 138 may support the key cap134 above the substrate 136. The support structure 138 may guidemovement of the key cap 134 toward the tactile element 132 and thesubstrate 136 during a keypress. The support structure 138 may be anoptional component of the keyboard 120. For example, in someembodiments, the key cap 134 may be supported above the substrate 136 bythe tactile element 132 and/or the key cap 134 may be positioned alongthe substrate 136. As such, while the support structure 138 may be abutterfly mechanism or scissor mechanism, other structures arecontemplated that support the key cap 134 and guide movement of the keycap 134 as it is depressed.

As described above with respect to FIG. 1, the keyboard 120 may becoupled with and/or positioned along or partially within the keyboardregion 118 defined on the translucent layer 116. The dynamic inputregion 128 may be defined along a region of the translucent layer 116adjacent or proximate to (and/or partially overlapping) the keyboardregion 118. Accordingly, the keyboard region 118 and the dynamic inputregion 128 may be defined along a common exterior surface of theenclosure 108. The electronic device 104 may illuminate some or all ofthe dynamic input region 128 on the translucent layer 116 to reveal theinput functionality of the enclosure 108. The dynamic input region 128may also be illuminated to produce various visual outputs on thetranslucent layer 116.

With reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D, particular embodiments, theelectronic device 104 may illuminate an active input area within thedynamic input region 128. The active input area may correspond to aparticular area or portion of the dynamic input region 128 configured tocontrol a function of the electronic device 104 in response to an input.For example, while the entire dynamic input region 128 may be configuredto detect input, a specified area or portion of the dynamic input region128 may define an active input area that is used to control theelectronic device 104 in response to detected input; other areas orportions of the dynamic input region 128 may be temporarily unresponsiveto input. This may allow the active input area to be customizable withinthe dynamic input region 128 based on user preferences, such asarranging the active input area in various positions and sizes withinthe dynamic input region 128. In this regard, FIGS. 1C and 1D depict thetranslucent layer 116 having the dynamic input region 128 in variousstates of illumination that may define the active input area.

FIG. 1C depicts the translucent layer 116 having the dynamic inputregion 128 defined along an exterior surface. As shown in FIG. 1C, thedynamic input region 128 may include an active input area 150, such asthe active input areas generally described above and described in greatdetail below. The active input area 150 may be a specified area orportion of the dynamic input region 128 that is configured to detect aninput and control a function of the electronic device 104 (e.g., such asmanipulate a graphical output of the touch-sensitive display 114 and/orotherwise provide input to the electronic device 104, includingtrackpad-type input). The electronic device 104 may include variouslight-emitting elements configured to illuminate the active input area150 on the translucent layer 116. The light-emitting elements maytherefore be used to indicate to the user the presence of inputfunctionality on the translucent layer 116 and, specifically, thelocation or boundary within the dynamic input region 128 configured toreceive input and control a function of the electronic device 104. Oneor more sensing elements of the electronic device 104, described herein,may be configured to detect input received within the active input area150.

The active input area 150 may be manipulated within the dynamic inputregion 128. As sample possibilities, a size, shape, position, or thelike of the active input area 150 may be manipulated or otherwisechanged or updated within the dynamic input region 128. This may occurin response to an input received within the dynamic input region 128(e.g., such as a gesture or other input) and/or in response to a signalfrom a processing unit and/or other component or assembly of theelectronic device 104. To facilitate the foregoing, the light-emittingelements of the electronic device 104 may be selectively operable toilluminate different (or overlapping) areas or portions of thetranslucent layer 116 to define different boundaries of the active inputarea 150. Analogously, the sensing elements of the electronic device 104may also be selectively operable to detect input received within a newor updated boundary of the active input area 150.

With reference to FIG. 1D, the active input area 150 is shownilluminated within the dynamic input region 128 having a distinct sizeand position as that of the active input area 150 shown and describedwith respect to FIG. 1C. For example, the active input area 150 depictedin FIG. 1D may be illuminated in a lower right corner of the dynamicinput region 128 and encompass a larger portion of the dynamic inputregion 128 than the active input area of the embodiment of FIG. 1C. Forexample, the light-emitting elements of the electronic device 104 mayilluminate the translucent layer 116 in a different or predeterminedmanner and cause an updated or new boundary of the active input area 150to be illuminated on the translucent layer 116 corresponding to themanipulated size and location or other manipulated characteristic of theactive input area 150.

The resized and repositioned active input area 150 may accommodate auser-specified preference. For example, where the active input area 150defines a trackpad of the electronic device 104, a user may desire toresize and/or reposition the trackpad along the device enclosure tofacilitate use of the electronic device 104, including variousapplications, programs or functions performed or depicted on theelectronic device 104. The resizing, repositioning, or othermanipulation of the active input area 150 may occur in response to, forexample, a gesture or other user input received along the dynamic inputregion 128, the keyboard region 118, or other input device or structureof the electronic device 104, including the touch-sensitive display 114.Once resized, repositioned, or otherwise changed, the sensing elementsof the electronic device 104 may be responsive to detect input receivedwithin the updated boundary of the active input area 150. In thisregard, the electronic device 104 may be configured to distinguishbetween input received along the dynamic input region 128 that is withinand/or outside of the active input area 150. This may allow theelectronic device 104 to be controlled by input received within theilluminated boundary of the active input area; however, in other casesit may be desirable to detect input received outside of the illuminatedboundary as well (e.g., as described in greater detail below withrespect to FIG. 6B).

As described herein, the electronic device 104 may be configured todepict various visual outputs within the dynamic input region 128.Broadly, visual outputs of the dynamic input region 128 may besubstantially any optical or visual effect depicted on the translucentlayer 116. In some embodiments, visual outputs of the dynamic inputregion 128 may visually emphasize a boundary or other feature of anactive input region (e.g., as described in greater detail below withrespect to FIGS. 3A-3C). Visual outputs of the dynamic input region 128may also be used to indicate or confirm an input received along thedynamic input region 128, such as a magnitude to position of an input(e.g., as described in greater detail below with respect to FIGS.4A-5C), or otherwise be used to optically enhance the dynamic inputregion 128 and/or the active input area 150.

Visual outputs of the dynamic input region 128 may also be used toconvey information relating to the electronic device 104. In thisregard, the dynamic input region 128 may be configured to depict outputof the electronic device 104 along the translucent layer that defines anexterior surface of the enclosure 108. With reference to FIG. 1E, forexample, the translucent layer 116 is shown as having a visual output154 illuminated within the dynamic input region 128. The visual output154 may be a symbol representative of a battery depletion level (batterycharge) of the electronic device 104. As such, the visual output 154 maybe updateable or dynamic; as the battery level rises or falls, thevisual output 154 may correspondingly change. It will be appreciatedthat the symbol representative of a battery depletion level is shown inFIG. 1E for purposes of illustration only. As described in greaterdetail below, visual outputs may be substantially any appropriatesymbol, indicia, graphics or the like including updateable symbols, suchas symbols representative of a wireless signal strength, a location of awireless signal, a notification (including text and/or email-basednotifications), and so on. Further, visual outputs may also be symbolsthat indicate the location or particular components or assemblies of theelectronic device 104, such as an internal charging assembly (inductivecoils), among other possibilities.

FIGS. 2A-2F depict cross-sectional views of various embodiments of thedynamic input region 128 of FIG. 1A, taken along line B-B of FIG. 1A.The dynamic input region 128 may be defined along the translucent layer116 that forms an exterior surface 119 a of the electronic device 104.Broadly, the translucent layer 116 may be illuminated from theside(“side-illuminated” embodiment) and/or from below(“bottom-illuminated” embodiment). In the side-illuminated embodiment,the translucent layer 116 may be illuminated to define a specific visualoutput (e.g., a virtual trackpad). The side illuminated embodiment mayalso include multiple layers that, together, can be used to create adynamic visual output. In the bottom-illuminated embodiment, an array oflight-emitting elements may illuminate a configurable or customizableboundary of a virtual trackpad and/or other visual input. In thisregard, the dynamic input region 128 may be associated with a region ofthe electronic device 104 having various light-emitting elements,sensing elements, haptic structures, and/or other components orassemblies that are configured to define an active input area 150, andthe translucent layer 116 and detect an input. The embodiments of thedynamic input region 128 depicted in FIGS. 2A-2F are shown and describedas sample implementations of the electronic device 104; it will beappreciated that other implementations are possible and contemplatedwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a side-illuminated embodiment is shown. Inparticular, the dynamic input region 128 is shown in an embodiment inwhich the translucent layer 116 defines a light guide along the exteriorsurface 119 a. The translucent layer 116 may be configured to channel orredirect light along a length of the exterior surface 119 a andilluminate the active input area 150. To facilitate the foregoing, thetranslucent layer 116 may include both an internal reflection region 117a (configured to propagate light within and along the translucent layer116) and light-extraction features 117 b (configured to expel or extractlight from the translucent layer 116). The light-extraction features 117b may be formed into the translucent layer 116 and/or partially besurrounded by the internal reflection region 117 a. In some cases, theinternal reflection region 117 a and the light-extraction features 117 bmay form a substantially continuous surface of the electronic device104. The light-extraction features 117 b may obstruct or redirect lightpropagating through the translucent layer 116 such that the light exitsthe translucent layer 116 and illuminates the active input area 150. Forexample, the light-extraction features 117 b and the internal reflectionregion 117 a may have different indices of refraction that cause lightto exit the translucent layer 116 when light traverses a boundarybetween the light-extraction features 117 b and the internal reflectionregion 117 a. Additionally or alternatively, the light-extractionfeatures 117 b may be defined by various physical and/or geometricfeatures that are distinct from the internal reflection region 117 a,including geometric features of the light-extraction features 117 b thatmay protrude from the exterior surface 119 a.

The translucent layer 116 may be optically coupled with a light-emittingelement 160, as shown in FIG. 2A. The light-emitting element 160 may beoptically coupled along a side or end of the translucent layer 116;however, other configurations are possible. The translucent layer 116may receive light from the light-emitting element 160 and channel thereceived light toward the light-extraction features 117 b to define theactive input area 150. As shown in FIG. 2A, the light-emitting element160 may emit light substantially along light path L1, which may extendinto a body or thickness of the translucent layer 116 at the internalreflection region 117 a. The internal reflection region 117 a may beconfigured to substantially prevent light from escaping from thetranslucent layer 116 and direct the light along light path L1 towardthe light-extraction features 117 b. The light-extraction features 117 bmay receive the light along light path L1 and redirect the receivedlight toward the exterior surface 119 a and illuminate the active inputarea 150, for example, substantially along light path L2. The light pathL2 may thus represent a redirected path of light that initially emanatesfrom the light-emitting element 160. By using the translucent layer 116as a light guide, the light-emitting element 160 may thus be positionedaway or offset from the active input area 150 (such as along the side ofthe translucent layer 116), which may allow components or assemblies ofthe dynamic input region 128 to be more tightly spaced or otherwiseassembled in a manner that enhances the adaptability of the electronicdevice 104.

Various sensing elements, haptic structures, and/or other components maybe positioned below the translucent layer 116. For example, as depictedin FIG. 2A, the electronic device 104 may include a sensing element 164and a haptic structure 168 below the translucent layer 116. The sensingelement 164 and the haptic structure 168 may be positioned along thetranslucent layer 116 corresponding to a location of the dynamic inputregion 128 on the exterior surface of the electronic device 104.

The sensing element 164 may be any appropriate component or assemblythat detects a touch input, force input, and/or proximity input receivedwithin the active input area 150, or more generally along the dynamicinput region 128 and/or other regions of the translucent layer 116. Inthis regard, the sensing element 164 may be a wide variety ofcomponents, sensors, assemblies, or the like that are positioned belowand/or coupled with the translucent layer 116. In one embodiment, thesensing element 164 may be a non-contact-based sensing element thatdetects input received along the exterior surface 119 a of thetranslucent layer 116. This may include a capacitive or magnetic-basedsensor that is configured to detect a proximity of a user to thetranslucent layer 116, including a contact between the user and theexterior surface 119 a. The non-contact-based sensing element may alsodetect localized or generalized bending or deflection of the translucentlayer 116 which may be used to determine a corresponding force inputassociated with the deflection. Additionally or alternatively, thesensing element 164 may be a contact-based sensor, such as a tactiledome switch, that detects a force input on the external surface inresponse to localized or generalized bending or deflection of thetranslucent layer 116.

The haptic structure 168, may be any appropriate structure or componentthat produces a haptic or tactile output. In particular, the hapticstructure 168 may be any appropriate component that delivers a movementor vibration along the external surface defined by the translucent layer116 that is perceptible to human touch. The electronic device 104 mayuse the haptic structure 168 to deliver the haptic or tactile output inresponse to an input received within the active input area 150, or moregenerally along the dynamic input region 128. For example, the hapticstructure 168 may be a mechanical structure, such as a collapsible dome,spring, or the like that produces movement or vibration in response to aforce input received along the dynamic input region 128. In other cases,the haptic structure 168 may be an electrically actuated assembly thatdelivers a haptic or tactile output in response to a detection of atouch and/or force input by the sensing element 164. For example, thehaptic structure 168 may be an electromagnet, electro active polymer orpiezoelectric (EAP) stack, or the like. In an embodiment, the hapticstructure 168 may be at least partially included within, or directlycoupled to, the sensing element 164, for example, which may be the casewhere the haptic structure 168 is a collapsible dome of a tactile domeswitch used to detect a force input received within the active inputarea 150.

With reference to FIG. 2B, a bottom-illuminated embodiment is shown. Inparticular, the dynamic input region 128 is shown in an embodiment inwhich the active input area 150 is defined, at least in part, by theillumination of a group of illuminable features positioned below thetranslucent layer 116. The group of illuminable features may bepositioned within a light control layer that extends along an undersidesurface 119 b of the translucent layer 116. The light control layer maysubstantially block the passage of light. The group of illuminablefeatures, which may be visually imperceptible along the exterior surface119 a, may allow light through the light control layer, thereby causingthe active input area 150 to be illuminated. The indicators may also beilluminated to depict various graphical effects on the translucent layer116, as described herein.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2B, electronic device 104 may includea light control layer 170. The light control layer 170 may be positionedalong and/or be coupled with the underside surface 119 b of thetranslucent layer 116. The light control layer 170 may include a groupof illuminable features 172. Light may generally pass through the lightcontrol layer 170 at the group of illuminable features 172. In thisregard, the group of illuminable features 172 may be illuminated fromwithin the enclosure 108 to define a boundary of the active input area150 and/or other graphical effect within the dynamic input region 128.In some cases, distinct subsets of the group of illuminable features maybe selectively illuminated in order to define different or updateablevisible boundaries of the active input area 150 and/or other dynamic orupdateable visual outputs within the dynamic input region 128.

In a particular embodiment, the light control layer 170 may be an ink,coating, resin, or other structure that blocks that passage of light andthe group of illuminable features 172 may be a group ofmicroperforations or holes extending through the light control layer170. For example, the light control layer 170 may be formed directly onthe underside surface 119 b, for example, through a printing,deposition, sputtering, platting, or other appropriate process. In othercases, the light control layer 170 may be a separate substrate, film, orother layer applied to the underside surface 119 b or on an intermediate(PET) layer connected to the underside surface 119 b, described below.The group of microperforations may be openings, holes, through portions,cuts, grooves, recesses, or other features that extend through acomplete thickness of the light control layer 170. In this regard, thegroup of microperforations may allow light to travel through the lightcontrol layer 170 and subsequently through the translucent layer 116.

At the exterior surface 119 a, the group of microperforations may besubstantially visually imperceptible when not illuminated. For example,the group of microperforations may have a size, shape, or othercharacteristic that renders the group of microperforations invisible ornot visually perceptible to the unaided human eye. In one embodiment,the group of microperforations may have a width or other cross-dimensionwithin a range of 30 microns to 70 microns. For example, the group ofmicroperforations may be defined by a pattern of circles that each havea diameter within a range of 30 microns to 70 microns. The group ofmicroperforations may be arranged across the light control layer 170 sothat each perforation is separated by a distance within a range of 80microns to 500 microns. For example, where each microperforation isdefined by a circle, each circle may be separated across the lightcontrol layer 170 by a distance within a range of 80 microns to 500microns. It will be appreciated that other dimensions and geometries arecontemplated and described in greater detail below, includingconfigurations in which a width of each microperforation is less than 30microns or greater than 70 microns and where the separation distance isless than 80 microns or greater than 500 microns. Further, eachmicroperforation need not have identical or uniform widths orseparations; in some cases, various subsets of the group ofmicroperforations may have distinct widths or separations, which may beused to produce a desired optical effect, among other considerations.

The group of microperforations may define a boundary, for example, ofthe active input area 150. As such, when illuminated, the inputfunctionality on the translucent layer 116 may be revealed. The group ofmicroperforations may also define various other symbols, glyphs,indicia, and/or other visual outputs at the dynamic input region 128. Inother cases, the group of microperforations may define an array or agrid (such as a dot matrix) along the light control layer 170. Subsetsof the group of microperforations may be illuminated to illuminatevarious different boundaries of the active input area 150. For example,as described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 2D, a firstsubset of the group of microperforations may be illuminated to define afirst boundary of the active input area 150 and a second subset of thegroup of microperforations may be illuminated to define a secondboundary of the active input area 150.

In other embodiments, the light control layer 170 may be a polarizinglayer and/or component or assembly configured to control the passage oflight through the group of illuminable features. For example, the groupof illuminable features 172 may include individually selectable windowsor regions, which may allow light to propagate therethrough in responseto a signal (e.g., which may be controlled by a processing unit of theelectronic device 104). In this regard, the light control layer 170 mayinclude various polarizing filters that may only allow light to passthrough an indicator which exhibits a certain frequency, polarity, orother property. A liquid crystal element or other appropriate structuremay be arranged within the group of illuminable features 172 and used torotate or otherwise alter the received light such that it may passthrough the indicator and associated polarizing filter. Individualliquid crystal elements may be individually actuated such that light maypass through selective ones of the group of illuminable features 172.This may allow the dynamic input region 128 to be illuminated withvarious customizable and updateable visual outputs in addition toilluminating the active input area 150 in various locations andconfigurations within the dynamic input region 128.

To facilitate the foregoing, the light-emitting element 160 may bepositioned below the light control layer 170 and illuminate the group ofilluminable features 172. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, thelight-emitting element 160 may be a backlight defined by one or morelight-emitting diodes. Other light-emitting elements are contemplated,however, including embodiments where the light-emitting element 160 is,or forms a component of, a micro-LED, light guide, liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), fluorescent light,and/or other light-emitting elements or structures (e.g., as describedin greater detail below with respect to FIG. 2D). The light-emittingelement 160 may generally be emitting light along light path L3 shown inFIG. 2B. The light path L3 may correspond to a boundary of the activeinput area 150 and/or a visual output depicted within the dynamic inputregion 128. As such, the light path L3 extends through one or more ofthe group of illuminable features 172 and the translucent layer 116 inorder to illuminate the exterior surface 119 a.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the external surface 119 a may be defined along atextured region 115 of the translucent layer 116. The textured region115 may be a region of the translucent layer having distinct opticalproperties that may facilitate illumination of the active input area150. For example, the textured region 115 may be defined by a series ofgeometric features, including dimples, bumps, discontinuities, and so onthat may diffuse or condition light that propagates through thetranslucent layer 116. In other embodiments, other shapes andconfigurations of the textured region 115 may be possible, includingconfigurations where the textured region 115 is an internal region ofthe translucent layer 116 and the external surface 119 a exhibits asubstantially smooth contour.

It will be appreciated that while the light path L3 is shown extendingthrough a particular one of the group of illuminable features 172, thelight path L3 may extend through substantially any (or all) of the groupof illuminable features 172. This may allow the dynamic input region 128to define the active input area 150 at various positions along theexterior surface 119 a of the translucent layer 116. For example, thelight-emitting element 160 may substantially illuminate the entire lightcontrol layer 170, and the group of illuminable features 172 may beselectively actuated such that light propagates through particular onesof the group of illuminable features 172 and defines a desired symbol orvisual output on the exterior surface 119 a of the translucent layer116. In other embodiments, the active input area 150 and/or variousvisual outputs may be defined by the group of illuminable features 172,for example, as may be the case when the group of illuminable features172 are microperforations and the light-emitting element is, or forms acomponent of, an LED backlight.

The light path L3 may also traverse multiple other translucent layers.For example, the electronic device 104 may include an optical diffuser174. The optical diffuser 174 may be positioned between thelight-emitting element 160 and the light control layer 170 such that thelight path L3 traverses the optical diffuser 174. The optical diffuser174 may, in some embodiments, spread or scatter light received from thelight-emitting element 160. This may allow the dynamic input region 128to be illuminated with soft or diffuse light. This may be beneficial forgenerating various optical effects on the exterior surface 119 a definedby the translucent layer 116. For example, soft light may be preferredin various settings having low or dim ambient lighting conditions.

Further, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the electronic device104 may optionally include one or more intermediate layers positionedalong the light control layer 170. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, theelectronic device 104 may include intermediate layers 171 a, 171 b. Theintermediate layer 171 a may be positioned between the translucent layer116 and the light control layer 170. The intermediate layer 171 b may bepositioned along the light control layer 170 opposite the firstintermediate layer 171 a. The intermediate layers 171 a, 171 b mayprovide a moisture barrier or other transitional layer between one ormore of the components of the electronic device 104. The intermediatelayers 171 a, 171 b may be translucent. This may allow light generatedby the light-emitting element 160 (for example, such as that along lightpath L3) to propagate through the group of illuminable features 172 andilluminate the active input area 150 on the translucent layer 116. Theintermediate layers 171 a, 171 b may be formed from, or include,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicon, glass sheet, ceramic sheet,or the like; however, other materials are possible, including plastics,synthetics, composites, and so on.

The sensing element 164 and the haptic structure 168, described withrespect to FIG. 2A, are depicted in FIG. 2B positioned below thelight-emitting element 160. However, it will be appreciated that thesensing element 164 and the haptic structure 168 may be arranged withinthe dynamic input region 128 in any appropriate configuration.

With reference to FIG. 2C, a side-illuminated embodiment is shown havingmultiple stacked layers that cooperate to produce a dynamic orconfigurable visual output. In particular, the dynamic input region 128is shown in an embodiment in which the translucent layer 116, describedabove with respect to FIG. 2A, includes multiple distinct translucentlayers. Each of the distinct translucent layers may define an individuallight guide that is configured to channel light along a length of theexterior surface 119 a. This may allow the dynamic input region 128 toilluminate active input areas having distinct sizes, shapes, and otheroptical effects.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2C, the electronic device 104includes a first translucent layer 116 a, a second translucent layer 116b, and a third translucent layer 116 c. The first translucent layer 116a may define the exterior surface 119 a and the third translucent layer116 c may define the underside surface 119 b. However, in other cases,the translucent layers 116 a-116 c may be positioned substantiallywithin the device enclosure, and thus need not necessarily form theexterior surface 119 a. Each of the translucent layers 116 a-116 c maybe vertically stacked relative to one another on the exterior surface119 a; however, in other embodiments, other configurations are possible,including configurations in which one or more of the translucent layers116 a-116 c are separated from one another within the enclosure 108.Each of the translucent layers 116 a-116 c may include light-extractionfeatures configured to extract light and illuminate a correspondingactive input area, as described below.

Each of the translucent layers 116 a-116 c may be coupled with adistinct light-emitting element and be used to illuminate distinctvisible boundaries of an active input area within the dynamic inputregion 128. For example, the electronic device 104 may include alight-emitting element 160 a optically coupled along an end of thetranslucent layer 116 a. The light-emitting element 160 a may beconfigured to emit light into a body or thickness of the translucentlayer 116 a such that light is propagated substantially along a lightpath L1 a. The translucent layer 116 a may include light-extractionfeatures 121 a that redirects light of light path L1 a toward theexterior surface 119 a. Further, the electronic device 104 may include alight-emitting element 160 b optically coupled along an end of thetranslucent layer 116 b. The light-emitting element 160 b may beconfigured to emit light into a body or thickness of the translucentlayer 116 b such that light is propagated substantially along a lightpath L1 b. The translucent layer 116 b may include light-extractionfeatures 121 b that redirects light of light path L1 b toward theexterior surface 119 a. And further, the electronic device 104 mayinclude a light-emitting element 160 c optically coupled along an end ofthe translucent layer 116 c. The light-emitting element 160 c may beconfigured to emit light into a body of thickness of the translucentlayer 116 c such that light is propagated substantially along a lightpath L1C. The translucent layer 116 c may include light-extractionfeatures 121 c that redirects light of light path L1C toward theexterior surface 119 a. It will be appreciated that the three distincttranslucent layers are shown in FIG. 2C for purposes of illustrationonly. In other embodiments, more or fewer translucent layers may beused, as may be appropriate for a given application.

Broadly, each of the translucent layers 116 a-116 c may be used toilluminate the exterior surface 119 a within the dynamic input region128. The illumination of the exterior surface 119 a may correspond todistinct active input areas within the dynamic input region 128. Forexample, when illuminated, the first translucent layer 116 a may definea first active input area 150 a on the exterior surface 119 a using thelight-extraction features 121 a, the second translucent layer 116 b maydefine a second active input area 150 b on the exterior surface 119 ausing the light-extraction features 121 b, and the third translucentlayer 116 c may define a third active input area 150 c on the exteriorsurface 119 a using the light-extraction features 121 c. The activeinput areas 150 a-150 c may correspond to a specified region or area ofthe dynamic input region 128 configured to receive an input and controla function of the electronic device 104. In this regard, various sensingelements (not shown in FIG. 2C) may be configured to detect input withinthe respective ones of the active input areas 150 a-150 c whenilluminated. As shown in FIG. 2C, the active input areas 150 a-150 c mayoverlap one another.

Additionally or alternatively, the translucent layers 116 a-116 c may beused to produce various optical effects or visual outputs within thedynamic input region 128. For example, multiple ones of the translucentlayers 116 a-116 c may be illuminated concurrently or in a particularpattern or sequence in order to visually emphasize selective portions ofan active input area or otherwise produce a visual output along theexterior surface 119 a. To illustrate, the light-emitting element 160 amay be illuminated and define a boundary of the active input area 150 awithin the dynamic input region 128. While the active input area 150 ais illuminated, the light-emitting elements 160 b, 160 c may besubsequently illuminated. This may create various optical effects withinthe active input area 150 a, for example, such as illuminating a centeror a periphery of the active input area 150 a in distinct manners. Forexample, the active input area 150 a may be illuminated more intensely(or with different colors) in a center portion as opposed to aperiphery. In a center portion, the active input area 150 a may beilluminated from light propagated by each of the translucent layers 116a-116 c, whereas the periphery of the active input area 150 may beilluminated by light from only the translucent layer 116 a (defining aboundary of the active input area 150 a). The translucent layers 116a-116 c may also be illuminated in a sequence to show an active inputarea expanding or contracting within the dynamic input region 128 (e.g.,as described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 3C).

With reference to FIG. 2D, a bottom-illuminated embodiment is shown. Inparticular, the dynamic input region 128 is shown in an embodiment inwhich a group of light-emitting elements is used to selectivelyilluminate the exterior surface 119 a of the translucent layer 116. Thismay allow the dynamic input region 128 to include a customizable ordynamic active input area illuminated on the exterior surface 119 a. Theselective illumination of the exterior surface 119 a may also be used toproduce various visual outputs, described herein, including updateableor dynamic visual output of the electronic device 104.

In this regard, the electronic device 104 may include a group oflight-emitting elements 162. The group of light-emitting elements 162may be a matrix of LEDs or other structures having individuallyactuatable light sources. The group of light-emitting elements 162 maybe used to illuminate particular ones of the group of illuminablefeatures 172, which, in turn, may illuminate the active input area 150or visual output of the dynamic input region 128. For example, a firstsubset of the group of light-emitting elements 162 may be used toilluminate a first subset of the group of illuminable features 172. Thefirst subset of the group of illuminable features 172, when illuminated,may define a first visible boundary of the active input area 150 on theexterior surface 119 a. Further, a second subset of the group oflight-emitting elements 162 may be used to illuminate a second subset ofthe group of illuminable features 172. The second subset of the group ofilluminable features 172, when illuminated, may define a second visibleboundary of the active input area 150 on the exterior surface 119 a. Theparticular area or portion of the exterior surface 119 a that definesthe active input area 150 within the dynamic input region 128 maytherefore change, and the group of light-emitting elements 162 mayvisually represent this change to the user by illuminating thetranslucent layer 116 accordingly. The first and second visibleboundaries need not be distinct or separate portions of the translucentlayer 116, however. In some cases, at least some of the illuminatedindicators may be included in both the first and the second subsets ofthe group of illuminable features 172.

With reference to FIG. 2E, an embodiment is shown in which thetranslucent layer 116 is illuminated from both the side and the bottom.In particular, the dynamic input region 128 is shown in an embodiment inwhich the translucent layer 116 both defines a light guide and isselectively illuminated from within the enclosure 108. In particular,substantially analogous to the embodiment described with respect to FIG.2A, the translucent layer 116 may include an internal reflection region117 a and light-extraction features 117 b. Light from the light-emittingelement 160 may propagate along the light path L1 through the internalreflection region 117 a and toward the light-extraction features 117 b.At the light-extraction features 117 b, light may be redirected andexpelled from the translucent layer 116, substantially along light pathL2. This may illuminate, for example, a boundary of the active inputarea 150.

The group of light-emitting elements 162, arranged below the translucentlayer 116 and the light control layer 170, may be configured to furtherilluminate the exterior surface 119 a. As described above with respectto FIG. 2D, the group of light-emitting elements 162 may selectivelyilluminate particular ones of the group of illuminable features 172 inorder to produce a visual effect or other visual output on the exteriorsurface 119 a. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the group oflight-emitting elements 162 may generally propagate light along lightpath L3, toward exterior surface 119 a.

The group of light-emitting elements 162 may augment the illumination ofthe active input area 150, which may be defined by the illuminatedlight-extraction features 117 b. For example, the group oflight-emitting elements 162 may be used to produce a visual outputwithin the active input area 150 when the light-extraction features 117b is illuminated by the light-emitting element 160. The visual outputmay correspond to a visual indication of a position or a magnitude of aforce or touch input received within the active input area 150. Thevisual output may also correspond to an output of the electronic device104, such as a symbol corresponding to a battery depletion level of theelectronic device 104. In other cases, the visual output may beilluminated within the dynamic input region 128 and outside of activeinput area 150. This may be beneficial in order to illuminate a visualoutput of the electronic device 104 within the dynamic input regionadjacent or otherwise proximate to the active input area 150 on theexterior surface 119 a. In other embodiments, other visual outputs arecontemplated and described in greater detail below.

With reference to FIG. 2F, the electronic device 104 is shown in aconfiguration in which visual outputs may be produced when theelectronic device 104 is in a closed configuration. For example, thetranslucent layer 116 may be illuminated such that the dynamic inputregion 128 and/or the active input area 150 may be at least partiallyvisually perceptible when the electronic device 104 is in a closedconfiguration, as described herein. This may allow a user to view anactive input area and/or visual output of the dynamic input region 128when the upper enclosure 108 a and the lower enclosure 108 b arepositioned substantially parallel or aligned with one another or theelectronic device 104 is otherwise in a standby, sleep, or low-powermode. Further, information may be conveyed to the user regarding astatus of the electronic device 104 (e.g., such as a battery depletionlevel, a wireless signal, and so on), without the user opening theelectronic device 104 or otherwise causing the electronic device 104 toenter a full power mode.

To facilitate the foregoing, a periphery of the exterior surface 119 amay be illuminated. For example, the electronic device 104 may includethe group of light-emitting elements 162 arranged below the exteriorsurface 119 a and along a periphery of the translucent layer 116. Thegroup of light-emitting elements 162 may be a strip of LEDs ormicro-LEDs that extend along a side of the enclosure 108; however, inother cases, other illumination structures are possible. The group oflight-emitting elements 162 may be selectively controllable to propagatelight along light paths L4A, L5, described herein. Additionally oralternatively, the periphery of the exterior surface 119 a may beilluminated by a light source 160 positioned along a side of thetranslucent layer 116. The light source 160 may be configured topropagate light along light path L1, through the translucent layer 116,for example, substantially analogous to the light path L1 described withresponse to FIG. 2A.

In a particular embodiment, an optical diffuser 174 may be arrangedwithin the enclosure 108 substantially along the group of light-emittingelements 162. The group of light-emitting elements 162 may propagatethrough the optical diffuser 174 and toward the translucent layer 116.The group of light-emitting elements 162 may selectively propagate lightalong multiple directions into the diffuser, such as along a light pathL4 and a light path L5, depicted in FIG. 2F. Light path L4 may extendalong a direction substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface119 a, whereas the light path L5 may extend along a direction angledwith respect to the exterior surface 119 a and optionally couple withthe translucent layer 116. The distinct light paths L4, L5 may allow auser to view information depicted within the dynamic input region 128when the electronic device is in a closed configuration. For example,light may propagate along light path L4 and into the gap 130. In the gap130, light from light path L4 may reflect or scatter, and produce lightpath L6, which may be visible when the electronic device 104 is in theclosed configuration. Additionally or alternatively, light may propagatealong light path L5 and into the translucent layer 116. Light from lightpath L5 may internally reflect within the translucent layer 116 andproduce light path L7, which may be visible when the electronic device104 is in a closed configuration. Light may also be visible when theelectronic device 104 is closed using various light-emitting elements(e.g., light-emitting element 160) arranged along an edge. For example,as shown in FIG. 2F, the light-emitting element 160 may propagate lightalong light path L8, which may extend from an edge or periphery of theenclosure.

It will be appreciated that the various light path described herein aredepicted for purposes of illustration only. Rather than suggest all thelight travels exclusively along a particular light path, the illustratedlight paths are depicted to be a representation of diffuse light.Accordingly, light may propagate from the light-emitting element 160and/or group of light-emitting elements 162 along directions other thanthose shown by those depicted in the figures.

The electronic device 104 may optionally include an intermediate opticallayer 176. The intermediate optical layer 176 may be another opticaldiffuser configured to further diffuse or scatter light. This may helpcondition or otherwise soften light expelled from the exterior surface119 a. The intermediate optical layer 176 may also be an optical filteror other layer that selectively transmits light at various differentwavelengths. This may help illuminate the exterior surface 119 a with aspecified color, for example.

In one embodiment, light propagated along the light path L4 may extendthrough the light control layer 170 and illuminate, for example, theactive input area 150 within the dynamic input region 128. Lightpropagated along the light path L5 need not necessarily pass through thelight control layer 170. In some cases, the light propagated along thelight path L5 may extend angularly through the translucent layer 116 andaway from the electronic device 104. It will be appreciated that lightfrom the group of light-emitting elements 162 may be configured toselectively propagate light along one or both of the light path L4and/or L5, as may be appropriate for a given configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2F, the electronic device 104 may be a closedconfiguration. For example, the upper enclosure 108 a and the lowerenclosure 108 b of the enclosure 108 may be positioned substantiallyparallel or otherwise aligned with one another. For example, theexterior surface 119 a of the lower enclosure 108 b and an exteriorsurface 129 of the upper enclosure 108 a may be substantially parallelor otherwise aligned. In the closed configuration, the upper enclosure108 a and the lower enclosure 108 b may be separated by a gap 130. Thegap 130 is depicted in FIG. 2F for purposes of illustration and is notnecessarily shown according to scale. In some cases, the gap 130 may besubstantially smaller when the electronic device 104 is in the closedconfiguration, such as having a length of several millimeters or severalcentimeters.

The group of light-emitting elements 162 may be configured to illuminatethe active input area 150 and/or a visual output within the dynamicinput region 128 in a manner that is visually perceptible when theelectronic device 104 is in a closed configuration. In particular, atleast a portion of the active input area 150 and/or visual outputilluminated on the translucent layer 116 may be visible through the gap130 and/or a side or end of the translucent layer. For example, lightpropagated along the light path L4 may be at least partially visuallyperceptible to a user through the gap 130 (along light path L6).Additionally or alternatively, light propagated along the light path L5may propagate through a side or end or the translucent layer 116 (alonglight path L7) and thus may be visually perceptible to a user when theelectronic device 104 is in a closed configuration. This may bebeneficial in order to convey information to a user regarding a statusof the electronic device 104. As a non-limiting example, lightpropagated along one or both of the light paths L4 and/or L5 maycorrespond to a battery depletion level of the electronic device 104 (orother updateable or dynamic status of the electronic device 104). Assuch, the user may receive such information without needing to open theelectronic device 104 and/or cause the electronic device 104 to enter afull power mode.

FIGS. 3A-7C generally describe various embodiments in which thetranslucent layer 116 may be illuminated, and the correspondingfunctions of the dynamic input region 128 for the various depictedillumination conditions. As described herein, the translucent layer 116may be illuminated within the dynamic input region 128 to define variousactive input areas used to control a function of the electronic device104. The translucent layer 116 may also be illuminated to depict avisual output within the dynamic input region 128. The visual output maybe substantially any visual effect produced on the translucent layer116. In some cases, the visual output may emphasize the active inputarea (including a boundary or portion of the active input area), alocation of a touch contact, a path of travel of a touch contact, amanipulation of the active input area, a location of multiple distinctactive input areas, and so on. The visual output, however, may notnecessarily be associated with input or a request for input from theuser. In some cases, the visual output may also be used to conveyinformation relating to a status of the electronic device 104, includinga notification or other static and/or dynamic indicator.

FIGS. 3A-3C show various visual outputs depicted within the dynamicinput region 128 that may be used to visually emphasize the active inputarea 150. For example, the visual outputs may illuminate or emphasize aboundary (including a boundary thickness) of the active input area, agradient, edge fade or taper, or other characteristic. In some cases,the visual output may be used to modify or manipulate an overall (orlocalized) brightness or color of the active input area 150.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 181 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 181 may visually emphasize an inner periphery of the active inputarea 150. For example, the inner periphery of the active input area 150may be illuminated differently than a center region of the active inputarea. This may be used to create various visual effects within thedynamic input region 128, such as modifying a gradient brightness oredge fade of the illuminated boundary of the active input area 150.

With reference to FIG. 3B, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 182 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 182 may visually emphasize a boundary of the active input area150. For example, the visual output 182 may be a ring of various anduser-customizable thicknesses that substantially surround the activeinput area 150.

With reference to FIG. 3C, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 183 a, a visual output 183 b, and a visual output 183 coptionally illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visual outputs183 a-183 c may correspond to distinct illuminated boundaries of theactive input area 150. For example, various ones of the visual outputs183 a-183 c may be illuminated concurrently or in a sequence to visuallyemphasize different areas that may be used to receive an input andcontrol a function of the electronic device. Additionally oralternatively, the visual outputs 183 a-183 c may be illuminated in asequence to show the active input area 150 expanding or contracting. Forexample, when the active input area 150 is initially defined oractivated within the dynamic input region 128, the visual output 183 cmay be illuminated, followed by the visual output 183 b, andsubsequently the visual output 183 a. This may give the appearance of anexpanding active input area. The sequence may be reversed when theactive input area 150 is turned off or otherwise deactivated. In oneembodiment, each of the visual outputs 183 a-183 c may correspond todistinct light guide panels of the electronic device (e.g., such asthose described with respect to FIG. 2C). However, in other cases, thevisual outputs 183 a-183 c may be produced by various differentlight-emitting elements and indicators, as may be appropriate for agiven application.

FIGS. 4A-4C show various visual outputs depicted within the dynamicinput region 128 that may be used to visually emphasize an inputreceived along the dynamic input region 128. For example, the visualoutputs may illuminate or emphasize a location or region of a touchinput, force input, and/or proximity input. The visual outputs may alsoemphasize or be indicative of a magnitude or type of detected input. Thevisual output may thus provide a visual confirmation to the user thatthe electronic device 104 received the input from the user. The visualoutput may be depicted in response to input detected along the dynamicinput region 128 and/or in response to a signal from a component orassembly of the electronic device 104 (e.g., a processing unit, antenna,and so on).

With reference to FIG. 4A, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 184 a illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 184 a may visually emphasize a boundary of an input receivedwithin the active input area 150. For example, the visual output 184 amay be a boundary of a touch input, force input, and/or proximity inputreceived within the active input area 150.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the dynamic input region is shown with avisual output 184 b illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 184 b may visually emphasize a location or contact area of aninput received within the active input area 150. For example, the visualoutput 184 b may be an illumination of a contact surface of a touchinput, force input, and/or a proximity input.

With reference to FIG. 4C, the dynamic input region is shown with avisual output 184 c illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 184 c may visually emphasize the active input area in response toa received input. For example, the active input area 150 may be entirelyilluminated (or illuminated in a different or distinct manner) inresponse to a touch input, force input, and/or proximity input receivedwithin the active input area 150. This may be a momentary illuminationor a flash, in some cases.

FIGS. 5A-5C show various visual outputs depicted within the dynamicinput region 128 that may be used to visually emphasize, broadly, recentactivity or history of the dynamic input region 128. For example, thevisual output may illuminate a light trail indicative of a path oftravel of a user input (such as a path of travel for a swipe across atrackpad). Additionally or alternatively, the visual output may beindicative of a manipulation of the active input area 150 within thedynamic input region 128 (such as a resizing or repositioning of theactive input area 150).

The visual output may be depicted on the dynamic input region 128 inresponse to a gesture. The gesture may include a user motion pattern,signs, finger or hand positions, or the like that are performed relativeto the dynamic input region 128. The gesture may be used to manipulatethe active input area 150 along the dynamic input region 128, and thevisual output may depict the manipulation accordingly.

With reference to FIG. 5A, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 185 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 185 may visually emphasize a location and path of travel (recentmovements) of an input received within the dynamic input region 128. Ina sample embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the visual output may includean input symbol 185 a and a light trail 185 b. The input symbol 185 amay be a circle or other marker that may visually emphasize a locationof the received input. The light trail 185 b may be indicative of a pathof travel or previous movement of the received input. To illustrate, theactive input area 150 may be a trackpad and the light trail 185 b mayvisually represent a swiping movement of a user across the translucentlayer 116. The input symbol 185 a may be a location where the swipingmovement ceased, a location of where a different type of input wasreceived (such as a force input or a click), or other characteristic ofthe received input.

With reference to FIG. 5B, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 186 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 186 may visually emphasize a manipulation of the active inputarea 150 within the dynamic input region 128. In particular, the visualoutput 186 may be a light trail indicative of a repositioning or path oftravel of the active input area 150. For example, the visual output 186may indicate that the active input area 150 moved from a first positionA to a second position A′ within the dynamic input region 128 and/or thepath of travel of the active input area 150 between the first and secondpositions within the dynamic input region 128.

With reference to FIG. 5C, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 187 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 187 may visually emphasize a manipulation of the active inputarea 150 within the dynamic input region 128. In particular, the visualoutput 187 may show a previous and/or anticipated boundary of the activeinput area 150. For example, the active input area 150 may be resized toencompass a smaller or larger portion of the dynamic input region 128,as described herein. The visual output 187 may represent an anticipatedlarger boundary of the active input area 150 and/or may represent aprevious boundary of the active input region, as may be appropriate fora given application.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show various visual outputs depicted within the dynamicinput region 128 that may be used to visually emphasize multiple activeinput regions. For example, the dynamic input region 128 may beconfigured to detect multiple inputs concurrently and/or otherwise beconfigured to control different functions of the electronic device 104in response to input received at distinct areas of the translucent layer116. The visual output may therefore signify to the user the presence ofthe various distinct input functionalities on the translucent layer 116.

With reference to FIG. 6A, a virtual keyboard 120′ and the active inputarea 150 are illuminated within the dynamic input region 128. Thevirtual keyboard 120′ may include a set of keys or key regions that areilluminated on the surface of the translucent layer 116. Each key or keyregion of the virtual keyboard 120′ may be configured to detect an inputalong a key surface. The electronic device 104 may be responsive to theinput received at each of the keys, for example, such as modifying orupdating an output of a display based on detecting a keypress atparticular keys of the virtual keyboard 120′. The active input area 150may be illuminated on the translucent layer 116 proximate to or adjacentthe illuminated keys. The electronic device 104 may be separatelyresponsive to input received with the active input area. In this manner,the dynamic input region 128 may be used to define both a virtual ordynamic keyboard and trackpad, both of which may be customizable withinthe dynamic input region 128. For example, in response to an input, anyof the illuminated keys and the trackpad may be moved, resized, orotherwise manipulated in or to accommodate various user preferences. Theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6A may also allow the dynamic input region128 to detect multi-input concurrently, such as detecting a keypress anda swipe along the trackpad at the same time or in rapid succession.

With reference to FIG. 6B, the dynamic input region 128 is shown withmultiple visual outputs illuminated that may visually emphasize multipleinputs received along the dynamic input region 128. For example, avisual output 188 is shown illuminated within the active input area 150.The visual output 188 may correspond to a boundary of an input. Further,a visual output 189 is shown illuminated within the dynamic input region128 and outside of the active input area 150. For example, as describedherein, the dynamic input region 128 may be configured to receive anauxiliary input outside of the active input area 150. The auxiliaryinput received outside of the active input area 150 may control theelectronic device 104 in a manner that is distinct from input receivedwithin the active input area 150. This may be beneficial, for example,where the active input area 150 defines a trackpad or button of theelectronic device 104 and the dynamic input region 128 (outside of theactive input area 150) is used to receive input from a stylus or otherinput involving motion across the translucent layer 116. In this regard,in one embodiment, the visual output may include an input symbol 189 aand a light trail 189 b. Substantially analogous to the embodimentsdescribed with respect to FIG. 5A, the input symbol 189 a may correspondto a location of a received input and the light trail 189 b maycorrespond to a path of travel of the input along the translucent layer116. The input received within the active input area 150 (represented bythe visual output 188) and the input received outside of the activeinput area 150 (represented by the visual output 189) may occur, and bedetected and illuminated, concurrently; however, this is not required.

FIGS. 7A-7C show various visual outputs depicted with the dynamic inputregion 128 that may be used to convey information relating to a statusof notification from the electronic device 104. The visual outputs maybe static, updateable, or dynamic, as may be appropriate for a givenapplication. In some cases, the visual outputs may be associated with anarea of the dynamic input region 128 configured to receive an input(e.g., such as where the visual output depicts a power button on thetranslucent layer 116). In other cases, the visual outputs are notassociated with an input functionality, but rather are used to conveyinformation or a notification to a user.

With reference to FIG. 7A, multiple visual outputs are shown illuminatedon the translucent layer 116. These may be substantially static outputsof the electronic device 104. In particular, a visual output 190 and avisual output 191 may be illuminated on the translucent layer 116. Thevisual output 190 may correspond to a power button or symbol. The visualoutput 190 may thus be configured to receive an input along the dynamicinput region 128 and control a function of the electronic device 104(e.g., such as switching the power between an off, on, stand-by, and/orother mode). The visual output 191 may correspond to a location of acomponent or assembly within the electronic device 104. For example, thevisual output 191 may be a symbol that shows the location of aninductive power coil or other internal charging system of the electronicdevice 104. This may allow the electronic device 104, for example, to besubstantially free of markings or other permanent indicia relating tothe charging assembly, as the visual output 191 may appear on thetranslucent layer 116 only when illuminated.

With reference to FIG. 7B, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 192 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 192 may convey updateable information to the user related to astatus or condition of the electronic device 104. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7B, the visual output 192 may be a symbolcorresponding to a battery depletion level of the electronic device 104.The visual output 192 may be illuminated, for example, along a peripheryof the translucent layer 116. This may allow a user to view the visualoutput 192 (and determine the corresponding battery depletion level),when the electronic device 104 is in a closed configuration. The symbolcorresponding to a battery depletion level of the electronic device 104is shown in FIG. 7B for purposes of illustration only; in other cases,other symbols are possible and are described herein.

With reference to FIG. 7C, the dynamic input region 128 is shown with avisual output 193 illuminated on the translucent layer 116. The visualoutput 193 may be a dynamic output of the electronic device 104. Forexample, the visual output 193 may depict moveable symbols or otherdynamically updateable information. In one embodiment, the visual output193 may be illuminated in response to a voice activated input. Forexample, the electronic device 104 may be configured to receive a voiceprompt that causes the electronic device 104 to be momentarilycontrolled by voice commands. During the period in which the electronicdevice 104 may be momentarily controlled by voice commands, or duringother periods, the visual output 193 may appear within the dynamic inputregion 128. The visual output 193 is shown in FIG. 7C having dynamicsinusoidal lines (which may move or vibrate as the electronic device 104is momentarily controlled by voice commands). However, in otherembodiments, other substantially dynamic visual outputs of theelectronic device 104 are possible.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict various embodiments of the illumination of thetranslucent layer 116 when the electronic device 104 is in a closedconfiguration. As described herein, in the closed configuration, theupper enclosure 108 a and the lower enclosure 108 b may be aligned orpositioned substantially parallel to one another. In the closedconfiguration, the upper enclosure 108 a and the lower enclosure 108 bmay be separated by a gap 130. Various active input areas, visualoutputs, and so on may be illuminated on the translucent layer 116 whenthe electronic device 104 is in the closed configuration. Theillumination of the translucent layer 116 may thus be visuallyperceptible to the user, which may allow the user to receive informationrelating to the electronic device 104 and/or apply an inputnotwithstanding the electronic device 104 being in the closedconfiguration.

With reference to FIG. 8A, a light path L6 is shown being emitted fromthe electronic device 104. For example, as described with respect toFIG. 2F, the light path L6 may be emitted through the gap 130 when theelectronic device 104 is in a closed configuration. The light path L6may be representative of visually perceptive light caused by anillumination of an active input area or visual output illuminated on thetranslucent layer 116.

With reference to FIG. 8B, a light path L7 is shown being emitted froman end or side of the translucent layer 116. For example, as describedwith respect to FIG. 2F, the light path L7 may be emitted from the endor side of the translucent layer 116 when the electronic device 104 isin a closed configuration. In some cases, light propagated along thelight path L7 may be used to define a dynamic input region and/or anactive input area, as may be appropriate for a given application.

FIGS. 9A-11 depict various electronic devices having a dynamic inputregion. Broadly, the dynamic input region may be formed on any externalsurface of an electronic device formed from a translucent layer. Thismay be a device enclosure, case, cover, panel, display, masking area, orother surface of an electronic device. The translucent layer may beilluminated to reveal input functionality of the dynamic input region.For example, an active input area, visual output, or other opticaleffect may be illuminated on the external surface. Various sensingelements, haptic structures, light-emitting elements, and/or otherappropriate components or assemblies, described herein, may bepositioned within the electronic device and configured to detect inputalong the dynamic input region.

FIG. 9A depicts an electronic device 904. The electronic device 904 maybe a mobile phone. For purposes of illustration, the electronic device904 is shown as having an enclosure 908, a touch-sensitive display 914,a translucent layer 916, one or more input/output members 906, and aspeaker 907. It should be noted that the electronic device may alsoinclude various other components, such as one or more ports (e.g.,charging ports, data transfer ports, or the like), additionalinput/output buttons, and so on. As such, the discussion of anyelectronic device, such as electronic device 904 is meant asillustrative only.

FIG. 9B depicts a bottom surface of the enclosure 908 of the electronicdevice 904. The electronic device 904 may include a translucent layer916 that forms the bottom surface of the enclosure 908. As shown in FIG.9B, the electronic device 904 may include a dynamic input region 928.The dynamic input region 928 may be configured to detect an input usedto control a function of the electronic device 904. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that the dynamic input region 928 may be substantiallyanalogous to the dynamic input region 128 described above. For example,electronic device 904 may include various sensing elements,light-emitting elements, haptic structures, and/or other components orassemblies configured to illuminate the translucent layer 916 at thedynamic input region 128 and detect an input. As shown in the embodimentof FIG. 9B, a visual output 929 may be illuminated on the translucentlayer 916 at the dynamic input region 928.

FIG. 10 depicts an electronic device 1004. The electronic device 1004may be a watch or other portable wearable electronic device. Forpurposes of illustration, the watch is shown as having an enclosure1008, a crown 1006, a touch-sensitive display 1014, and a band 1024. Thetouch-sensitive display 1014 may be positioned in a first openingdefined by the enclosure 1008 and the crown 1006 may be at leastpartially positioned in a second opening defined by the enclosure 1008.The touch-sensitive display 1014 may be responsive to translation androtational movement of the crown 1006. For example, a visual output ofthe touch-sensitive display 1014 may be modified in a first manner inresponse to rotational movement of the crown 1006 and in a second mannerin response to translational movement of the crown 1006. It should benoted that the electronic device 1004 may also include various othercomponents, such as one or more ports (e.g., charging ports, datatransfer ports, or the like), additional input/output buttons, and soon. As such, the discussion of any electronic device, such as electronicdevice 1004, is meant as illustrative only.

The electronic device 1004 may include a translucent layer 1016 thatforms an exterior surface of the enclosure 1008. As shown in FIG. 10,the electronic device 1004 may include a dynamic input region 1028. Thedynamic input region 1028 may be configured to detect an input used tocontrol a function of the electronic device 1004. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that the dynamic input region 1028 may be substantiallyanalogous to the dynamic input region 128 described above. For example,electronic device 1004 may include various sensing elements,light-emitting elements, haptic structures, and/or other components orassemblies configured to illuminate the translucent layer 1016 at thedynamic input region 1028 and detect an input. As shown in theembodiment of FIG. 10, a visual output 1029 may be illuminated on thetranslucent layer 1016 at the dynamic input region 1028.

FIG. 11 depicts an electronic device 1104. The electronic device 1104may be a stylus. The stylus may be used to provide input to anassociated electronic device, such as a tablet or smart phone, forexample, through interaction with a touch-sensitive surface of theassociated electronic device. For purposes of illustration, theelectronic device 1104 is shown as having an enclosure 1108 and a tip1106. A user may manipulate the enclosure 1108 to provide information tothe associated electronic device, for example, by moving the tip 1106relative to a touch-sensitive surface of the associated electronicdevice. It should be noted that the electronic device 1104 may alsoinclude various other components, such as one or more ports (e.g.,charging ports, data transfer ports, or the like), additionalinput/output buttons, and so on. As such, the discussion of anyelectronic device, such as electronic device 1104, is meant asillustrative only.

The electronic device 1104 may include a translucent layer 1116 thatforms an exterior surface of the enclosure 1108. As shown in FIG. 11,the electronic device 1104 may include a dynamic input region 1128. Thedynamic input region 1128 may be configured to detect an input used tocontrol a function of the electronic device 1104. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that the dynamic input region 1128 may be substantiallyanalogous to the dynamic input region 128 described above. For example,electronic device 1104 may include various sensing elements,light-emitting elements, haptic structures, and/or other components orassemblies configured to illuminate the translucent layer 1116 at thedynamic input region 1128 and detect an input. As shown in theembodiment of FIG. 11, a visual output 1129 may be illuminated on thetranslucent layer 1116 at the dynamic input region 1128.

FIG. 12 presents a functional block diagram 1200 of a sample electronicdevice, such as the electronic device 104 described with respect toFIGS. 1A-8B. It will be appreciated, however, that the functional blockdiagram described herein of electronic device 104 may include componentssubstantially analogous to components of other electronic devices of thelike described herein. In this regard, the schematic representation inFIG. 12 may correspond to the electronic device depicted in FIGS. 1A-8B,described above. However, the schematic representation in FIG. 12 mayalso correspond to the other electronic devices or the like describedherein, for example, such as electronic devices 904, 1004, and/or 1104,described with respect to FIGS. 9A-11. The electronic device 104 mayinclude any appropriate hardware (e.g., computing devices, data centers,switches), software (e.g., applications, system programs, engines),network components (e.g., communication paths, interfaces, routers), andthe like (not necessarily shown in the interest of clarity) for use infacilitating any appropriate operations disclosed herein.

As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic device 104 may include a processingunit or element 1208 operatively connected to computer memory 1212 andcomputer-readable media 1216. The processing unit 1208 may beoperatively connected to the memory 1212 and computer-readable media1216 components via an electronic bus or bridge (e.g., such as systembus 1210). The processing unit 1208 may include one or more computerprocessors or microcontrollers that are configured to perform operationsin response to computer-readable instructions. The processing unit 1208may be a central processing unit of the stylus. Additionally oralternatively, the processing unit 1208 may be other processors withinthe device including application specific integrated chips (ASIC) andother microcontroller devices.

The memory 1212 may include a variety of types of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, including, for example, read accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory(e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory 1212 is configuredto store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and otherpersistent software elements. Computer-readable media 1216 may alsoinclude a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia, including, for example, a hard-drive storage device, a solidstate storage device, a portable magnetic storage device, or othersimilar device. The computer-readable media 1216 may also be configuredto store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and otherpersistent software elements.

In this example, the processing unit 1208 is operable to readcomputer-readable instructions stored on the memory 1212 and/orcomputer-readable media 1216. The computer-readable instructions mayadapt the processing unit 1208 to perform the operations or functionsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-11. The computer-readableinstructions may be provided as a computer-program product, softwareapplication, or the like. It should be appreciated that, where theelectronic device is a stylus, the processing unit 1208 may be locatedin an electronic device associated with the stylus, rather than thestylus itself. In such embodiments, data may be transmitted from thestylus to and from the electronic device, such that the processing unitin the electronic device may operatively control the stylus.

As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic device 104 may also include adisplay 1218. The display 1218 may include a liquid-crystal display(LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, light-emitting diode(LED) display, or the like. If the display 1218 is an LCD, the displaymay also include a backlight component that can be controlled to providevariable levels of display brightness. If the display 1218 is an OLED orLED type display, the brightness of the display 1218 may be controlledby modifying the electrical signals that are provided to displayelements.

The electronic device 104 may also include a battery 1224 that isconfigured to provide electrical power to the components of theelectronic device 104. The battery 1224 may include one or more powerstorage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply ofelectrical power. In this regard, the battery 1224 may be a component ofa power source 1228 (e.g., including a charging system or othercircuitry that supplies electrical power to components of the electronicdevice 104). The battery 1224 may be operatively coupled to powermanagement circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltageand power levels for individual components or groups of componentswithin the electronic device 104. The battery 1224, via power managementcircuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source,such as an AC power outlet or interconnected computing device. Thebattery 1224 may store received power so that the electronic device 104may operate without connection to an external power source for anextended period of time, which may range from several hours to severaldays.

The electronic device 104 may also include one or more sensors 1240 thatmay be used to detect a touch and/or force input, environmentalcondition, orientation, position, or some other aspect of the electronicdevice 104. For example, sensors 1240 that may be included in theelectronic device 104 may include, without limitation, one or moreaccelerometers, gyrometers, inclinometers, goniometers, ormagnetometers. The sensors 1240 may also include one or more proximitysensors, such as a magnetic hall-effect sensor, inductive sensor,capacitive sensor, continuity sensor, or the like.

The sensors 1240 may also be broadly defined to include wirelesspositioning devices, including, without limitation, global positioningsystem (GPS) circuitry, Wi-Fi circuitry, cellular communicationcircuitry, and the like. The electronic device 104 may also include oneor more optical sensors, including, without limitation, photodetectors,photo sensors, image sensors, infrared sensors, or the like. In oneexample, the sensor 1240 may be an image sensor that detects a degree towhich an ambient image matches a stored image. As such, the sensor 1240may be used to identify a user of the electronic device 104. The sensors1240 may also include one or more acoustic elements, such as amicrophone used alone or in combination with a speaker element. Thesensors 1240 may also include a temperature sensor, barometer, pressuresensor, altimeter, moisture sensor or other similar environmentalsensor. The sensors 1240 may also include a light sensor that detects anambient light condition of the electronic device 104.

The sensor 1240, either alone or in combination, may generally be amotion sensor that is configured to estimate an orientation, position,and/or movement of the electronic device 104. For example, the sensor1240 may include one or more motion sensors, including, for example, oneor more accelerometers, gyrometers, magnetometers, optical sensors, orthe like to detect motion. The sensors 1240 may also be configured toestimate one or more environmental conditions, such as temperature, airpressure, humidity, and so on. The sensors 1240, either alone or incombination with other input, may be configured to estimate a propertyof a supporting surface, including, without limitation, a materialproperty, surface property, friction property, or the like.

The electronic device 104 may also include a camera 1232 that isconfigured to capture a digital image or other optical data. The camera1232 may include a charge-coupled device, complementary metal oxide(CMOS) device, or other device configured to convert light intoelectrical signals. The camera 1232 may also include one or more lightsources, such as a strobe, flash, or other light-emitting device. Asdiscussed above, the camera 1232 may be generally categorized as asensor for detecting optical conditions and/or objects in the proximityof the electronic device 104. However, the camera 1232 may also be usedto create photorealistic images that may be stored in an electronicformat, such as JPG, GIF, TIFF, PNG, raw image file, or other similarfile types.

The electronic device 104 may also include a communication port 1244that is configured to transmit and/or receive signals or electricalcommunications from an external or separate device. The communicationport 1244 may be configured to couple to an external device via a cable,adaptor, or other type of electrical connector. In some embodiments, thecommunication port 1244 may be used to couple the electronic device 104with a computing device and/or other appropriate accessories configuredto send and/or receive electrical signals. The communication port 1244may be configured to receive identifying information from an externalaccessory, which may be used to determine a mounting or supportconfiguration. For example, the communication port 1244 may be used todetermine that the electronic device 104 is coupled to a mountingaccessory, such as a particular type of stand or support structure.

As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic device 104 may also include one ormore input devices 1246. The input device 1246 may be, or include, thedynamic input region 128 (and associated elements) described herein. Forexample, the input device 1246 may be configured to receive an inputthat is used to control a function of the electronic device 104.Additionally, the input device 1246 may be one or more of a keyboard,mouse, pen, stylus, sound input device, touch input device, or the like.

Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit ofthe disclosure and appended claims. For example, features implementingfunctions may also be physically located at various positions, includingbeing distributed such that portions of functions are implemented atdifferent physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in theclaims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of”indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at leastone of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., Aand B and C). Further, the term “exemplary” does not mean that thedescribed example is preferred or better than other examples.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an upperportion, comprising: an upper enclosure defining an opening; and adisplay positioned at least partially within the opening and configuredto depict a graphical output; and a lower portion pivotally coupled withthe upper portion, the lower portion comprising: a lower enclosurehaving a translucent layer that defines, along an upper surface of thelower enclosure: an active input area; light-extraction featurespositioned within the active input area, the light-extraction featuresdefined by a first surface texture along the upper surface of the lowerenclosure; and a peripheral area at least partially surrounding theactive input area and having a second surface texture different from thefirst surface texture; a keyboard positioned along the upper surface ofthe lower enclosure and configured to receive a keypress; alight-emitting element positioned along a side of the translucent layerand configured to propagate light through the translucent layer to thelight-extraction features to illuminate the active input area; and aprocessing unit configured to modify the graphical output in response tothe keypress and modify the graphical output in response to an inputreceived along the active input area when the active input area isilluminated.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: thetranslucent layer comprises an internal reflection region in theperipheral area; the internal reflection region channels light from thelight-emitting element to the light-extraction features; thelight-extraction features are configured to extract light from thetranslucent layer, thereby illuminating the active input area; and theactive input area defines a trackpad of the electronic device positionedalong a side of the keyboard.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein an exterior surface of the translucent layer is substantiallyunilluminated along the internal reflection region.
 4. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein: the electronic device further comprises agroup of light-emitting elements arranged below the translucent layer;and the group of light-emitting elements are configured to depict avisual output on the translucent layer.
 5. The electronic device ofclaim 4, wherein the visual output comprises a visual indication of atleast one of a position or a magnitude of the input received within theactive input area.
 6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein thevisual output corresponds to at least one of: a location of an internalcharging assembly; a power button; a wireless signal; or a batterydepletion level.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: thetranslucent layer is a first translucent layer; the light-emittingelement is a first light-emitting element; the first translucent layeris configured to channel light from the first light-emitting elementtoward a first portion of the active input area; the electronic devicefurther comprises: a second light-emitting element; and a secondtranslucent layer vertically stacked below the first light-emittingelement and optically coupled with the second light-emitting element;and the second translucent layer is configured to channel light from thesecond light-emitting element toward a second portion of the activeinput area.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein: the first andsecond portions of the active input area at least partially overlap oneanother; the first and second light-emitting elements are selectivelyilluminable; and the first portion of the active input area isilluminated differently than the second portion of the active input areabased on the selective illumination of the first and second portions. 9.An electronic device, comprising: a translucent layer defining: adynamic input region along an external surface of the electronic device;and a localized region within the dynamic input region having a surfacetexture distinct from an adjacent portion of the external surface; akeyboard positioned adjacent to the dynamic input region and comprisinga key surface and a switch element configured to detect a keypress; alight control layer positioned below the translucent layer within thedynamic input region and having a group of light passages; an opticaldiffuser positioned below the light control layer; and a group oflight-emitting elements positioned below the optical diffuser andconfigured to propagate light through the optical diffuser, the lightcontrol layer, and the translucent layer, wherein: one or more of thelight control layer or the group of light-emitting elements areconfigured to illuminate the dynamic input region to display a visibleboundary of an active input area; and at least one of a size or aposition of the visible boundary is dynamically variable.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 9, wherein: the light control layer comprisesa polarizing layer; and the group of light passages are configured tochange polarity to selectively pass light from the group oflight-emitting elements to display the visible boundary of the activeinput area.
 11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein: the group oflight passages comprises a group of microperforations; and the group ofmicroperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when notilluminated by the group of light-emitting elements.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 9, wherein: when illuminated by the group oflight-emitting elements: a first subset of the group of light passagesdefines a first visible boundary of the active input area; and a secondsubset of the group of light passages defines a second visible boundaryof the active input area.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12,wherein: the electronic device further comprises a sensing elementpositioned within an interior of the electronic device; the sensingelement is configured to detect: a first input within the first visibleboundary when the first subset of the group of light passages isilluminated; and a second input within the second visible boundary whenthe second subset of the group of light passages is illuminated.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 9, wherein: the electronic device furthercomprises a display configured to depict a graphical output of theelectronic device; the graphical output of the display is manipulated ina first manner in response to an input received within the visibleboundary; and the graphical output is manipulated in a second manner inresponse to an auxiliary input outside of the visible boundary.
 15. Theelectronic device of claim 9, wherein: the electronic device furthercomprises an enclosure having an upper portion pivotally coupled with alower portion; and a visual output of the dynamic input region isvisually perceptible when the upper and lower portions are arranged in aclosed position.
 16. An electronic device, comprising: an enclosure; adisplay positioned at least partially within an upper portion of theenclosure; a keyboard coupled to a lower portion of the enclosure; atranslucent layer defining: at least a portion of an exterior surface ofthe lower portion of the enclosure; a dynamic input region along a sideof the keyboard; and a textured surface defining an active input area,the active input area within the dynamic input region and designated bya visible boundary; a group of first light-emitting elements positionedbelow the translucent layer, optically coupled with the translucentlayer, and configured to depict a visual output within the dynamic inputregion; a second light-emitting element optically coupled with thetranslucent layer along a side of the translucent layer and configuredto direct light through the translucent layer to be redirected throughthe textured surface; and a sensing element positioned within theenclosure and configured to detect an input along the active input areawhen the visible boundary is illuminated.
 17. The electronic device ofclaim 16, wherein: the visual output is displayed in response to thedetected input and corresponds to an illumination of at least one of: aregion of the detected input within the active input area; a boundary ofthe detected input; or an entire active input area.
 18. The electronicdevice of claim 16, wherein the visual output corresponds to anillumination of at least one of: an interior periphery of the activeinput area that is visually distinct from a center of the active inputarea; or an edge of the active input area that is visually distinct fromthe center of the active input area.
 19. The electronic device of claim16, wherein: the detected input is a gesture across the dynamic inputregion; and the visual output corresponds to an illumination of a pathof travel of the gesture.
 20. The electronic device of claim 16,wherein: the sensing element comprises a capacitive-based force sensor;and the electronic device further comprises a haptic structureconfigured to produce a tactile output along the active input area inresponse to the detected input.